CZ 100 vs. Steyr M 40

[troublemaker71]

Plan to purchase a CZ 100 in .40 S&W.  However, I located several Steyr M 40's (with only one magazine) for $60 under wholesale at a local dealer.  The dealer may be having difficulty moving them due to the trapezoidal sights, which no doubt confuse the conservative local buying population.  Maybe the Steyrs are early production, before kinks were worked out. . .

I like both guns, but know little about the Steyr other than its reputable name.  For the price, though, I almost feel like an idiot for not buying two of the Steyr's.  This of course will mean not buying the CZ anytime within the next year or so.

In other words, gimme reasons not to buy the Steyr(s).  Preferrably from a Steyr and CZ owner or others with similar experience.

Thanks,

Tristan

[cz40va]

Steyr's haven't been produced for several years after undergoing a major move. The word now is that RWS is going to start importing them since they now have a new factory.

[czhead]

GSI was the US importer and in April it was announced that
Dynamit in N.J. would be taking over.  Styer has a good warranty. And I have not heard anything bad about them.
Usually "importer" changes means low sales volume. If this is the case , why? From this point of view I would give the edge to CZ as they have made a considerable investment and commitment to the US market by establishing their own dist. and repair center here.
The weapon looks to have a good design for Con. Carry.

[CZ75ID]

Amen..i've heard varied stories onthe Steyr. Seems like they
can't keep enough spare parts in country..or the guns are problematic like in .357 SIG.

On the other hand. FEW have to get parts for the CZ-100.
The gun just flat-out works, man.


Have you found a Steyr .40 for near $300 dealer? If it's
a lemon.who do you send it to for repair?

Thanks for considering the CZ-100. they are not for everyone, but priced for anyone who wants/needs  a durable, proven CZ design in polymer.

[mons-meg]

I own both a CZ75B 9mm and a Steyr M40.  I wanted a
compact carry gun and the Steyr had more features as far
as safety, primarily the manual safety inside the trigger
guard.  I won't go into extolling the features of this
particular gun, and have no intentions of starting a
flamefest (I still may yet pick up a CZ100) but I will say
that mine has about 500 rounds through it so far and it
has yet to malfunction. The factory magazines have an
excellent fit and feed great.  And the funky sights are
actually pretty fast, once you get used to looking at them.
 

As far as "buggy" units, (the gun wasn't introduced until '98 or so)
my net research prior to purchase seemed to
indicate you need to buy a gun built after August
of 2000, which means they would have already fixed the
initial extractor and trigger problems.  Alternatively, look
for a serial number greater than 10,000 (mine is high
8000's but still had all the factory adjustments).

Dynamit-Nobel officially became Steyr's importer in April,
and theoretically the warranty should be supported by
them, but I really don't know and haven't read about
anyone having problems getting service one way or the
other.  Just don't let anyone tell you that the M series
is an "orphan" any more than you would believe that CZ
is an "off" brand.  I love both my pistols.  

Ok, I will say this about the Steyr in .40.  I fire full power
180 grain loads all the time, and my personal "perceived
recoil" is about the same as my CZ75 with 9mm 115's.
Some sort of alien technology, I guess.     The downside
is that to get better than 10 rounds capacity, you have to
cannibalize a mag from a Sigma, and the debate rages on
whether you will bring down the wrath of the ATF if you
choose to use a dremel to make it fit right. (I haven't)

Finally, I will say you need to pick which gun you feel
better shooting.  It may be hard to find both of them
for rent at a local range.  I don't think I answered your
request to give you a reason to *not* buy a Steyr, it's just
I went through the same thing after I found out that the
CZ compact carry was not going to happen.  In my world,
the Steyr filled that void.  For many other satisfied people,
the 100 is perfect.  Sorry for rambling.  

Jay

[czhead]

Very objective review, thanks.  BTW, No flames allowed in this club.  We are hear to express factual information along with our own brand of opinionated ideas mainly tuned to the CZ product line of which we know something about. Of course brand comparison is allowed if done in a professional manner which you certainly have done.  Again thanks for the info and we hope you enjoy the CZF!!!!!!!!!!

[mons-meg]

Hey, thanks.   I am still partial to my CZ, which is why I love to lurk and occasionally post on CZF.  The overall quality of the postings and the sense of community reminds me of the golden age of USENET.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled discussion...

[troublemaker71]

Thanks folks for such insightful responses.  Sorry it took me awhile to reply.  Been ill the last week or so, too nauseated to hold my shoulders up at the keyboard and think straight.

Found a local character with a new M 40 and will test drive the thing as soon as opportunity allows, keeping in mind what I've learned here at the forum.

Tristan